How Sleep is Beneficial to Health

Sleep is one of the most important factors in establishing good health but it is often overlooked. After a long day of work and stress brought on by daily responsibilities and pressures, the body needs an opportunity to rest and recharge. Sleep is often the only time large muscle groups have a chance to fully rest. Vital organs also use this time to slow productivity. Mentally, sleep is important as well. This is the only time our brains have a chance to relax and prepare for the next day.

8 Hours of Sleep Is Recommended

Experts recommend that humans sleep for at least eight hours each 24-hour period. However, most of us do not achieve this number. In fact, averages for adults are much closer to six hours. This deficit will eventually cause fatigue, metabolic issues, and higher blood pressure if not addressed. Simply by sleeping two hours more each night, many common health issues can be eliminated entirely.

The Circadian Rhythm

Humans operate on a circadian rhythm which revolves around the rising and setting of the sun each day. The body knows when to sleep, eat, digest, and when to release hormones for the most active parts of the day based on this 24-hour cycle. If a person is not sleeping, the circadian rhythm becomes unbalanced and the body is not as efficient. Attempting to catch up on sleep by napping randomly throughout the day further confuses the body’s natural processes. This is how chronic fatigue and weight gain are connected to a lack of sleep.

A Regular Sleeping Schedule Promotes Good Health

By going to bed at approximately the same time each day, sleeping for roughly eight hours, and waking on a schedule each morning, the body can get adequate rest and schedule vital functions. Eating, digestion, and energy release are all dependent on establishing and maintaining a circadian rhythm. Without this schedule, health and wellness suffer.